February Fun-Celebrating Life

I got back from Las Vegas (as may be recalled from the last post), the day before Grant's birthday.  It was Teen Eve, if you will.  I got home in time for the Superbowl (Brenna asked why the players had binkies! Ha!  Those funny mouth guards), and to wrap my head around the era we were all about to enter.  

We had a great day celebrating our firstborn.  He is a good soul.  His heart is good and I do say, he is becoming quite the handsome fella.  We are awaiting the official passage of puberty, but their are some certain signs...ahem, emotions at least.  Grant decided to have a guys night out and hit the Black Panther movie with is buddies to celebrate his advancement to the teenage zone. 

I pulled a stalked mom and followed them in to the theatre.  He has gone to the movies with friends since and it has been mom free zone.  He has recently started a 'movie group' with peeps from school.  I have to regulate that he is not the only fella because he seems to be surrounded by ladies.  Entering into this teenage zone, I just don't know if him being the only y chromosome around is normal or not.  For now, the wing man rule stands.  

After the movie, Dave took the boys for some real man food-Barbecue and then they had to hit up a declicous dessert spot as well for a pazookie.  It was a good party for my amazing Grant!

Brenna boo had her birthday just a five days later...it happens that way every year!  hahaha! She had a momentous birthday as she turned 8!  We had a small friend party this year, which was declared as weird by our neighbor because there weren't a lot of people! We took them to Airborne to be wild. 

 She had invited a couple more buddies, but one was throwing up just before.  Her mom almost sent her, and I was sweating having to clean up vomit from a foam pit.  Luckily, she opted out.  

The friends that accompanied us were:

Natalie Robinson, Kinley Smith, Madison Burgoyne, Kate Cowley and Lilly Taylor. 

It was good sweaty fun! 

We celebrated with family on her actual birthday with cake, ice cream and presents.  

My spunky little firecracker is 8!  Brenna is all intensity, passion and heart.  She is luke warm about nothing. She is always all in and a natural bossy pants...um, I mean leader.  She has become and incredible dancer and we love watching her do her thing.  She claims 'dance is life.'  

Loving holidays continued as we moved on to Valentines day.  I was sickly, but we just couldn't skip our fancy dinner/dance.  I love these traditions our kids anticipate.  They better be perfect dates after these training sessions!  Brenna's grade had a manners dinner where they got a partner and the boys pulled out the lady's chair, they talked to each other, helped with the door and tray, etc.  Brenna was anxiously anticipating who her partner would be.  She didn't want one particular classmate to be her partner.  I don't blame her, since he called her a 'fat lard.'  That typically doesn't set well with the ladies on a first date.  Ha!  Luckily, she was with a boy down the street.  As you can tell, she was not disappointed with her 'first date,' Tyler Baker.

 Harrison is currently fighting an Oedipus complex.  I think it's fairly normal, but he would give Dave a run for his money right now.  He attempts to attack me with lengthy kisses.  Sometimes afterwards, he will gaze into my eyes and ask, "are you in love with me yet?" 

All the romance was felt the night of the dinner/dance because on Valentines Day, Dave and I doubled with some friends to the Jazz game.  And we pretty much were playing basketball with the team.  I could hear them talk and nearly wipe their brows.  It was pretty awesome. 

School was extra busy for me that month as I was in charge of Literacy Week with my friend.  We were able to schedule author, Jennifer Neilsen.  Ms. Neilsen and I emailed all year and I felt like we became such good friends.  That day there was an awkward hug or handshake moment, but overall it was such a great experience arranging it for our school.  She motivated the kids to read and challenge themselves, to go for their dreams and work hard.  It was fabulous.

 We followed up with a reading minute competition.  Both the girls were in the top twenty of their grades and got special prizes.  We had a read-a-thon at home and read all day long one Saturday.  It was fun fun fun!

 Being able to celebrate 2 birthdays in February always gives me time to reflect on when they were born and how I knew when I first held baby Grant and baby Brenna that they didn't just start when they took their first breath.  I knew their spirits were vibrant and real before.  This year Dave's family said goodbye to his Grandpa.  Grandpa Church was the absolute epitome of charity.  He was modest and non assuming while wise and knowledgeable.  We were very blessed to have him influence us.  

 Those same thoughts about life that I had with my babies gives reassurance that life extends not just before Earth, but after as well.  We know we will see Grandpa Church, and all of our loved ones, again.  For now, we hope to live up to the legacy they gave us.  

When You Wish Upon a Star

For Christmas, the McArthur family opened tickets to none other than 'The Happiest Place on Earth.'  It was a long month waiting to redeem those tickets, but on my birthday we flew the coop and headed for California.  Everyone was super grumpy that day, so after a brief flip out by mom in the car and some tears from Katelee about everyone ruining my birthday, there was an adjustment in attitude and we were ready to party!

We started our excursion in California Adventure.  

 It was one of the best Disney days in the history of ever.  It was overcast and little cool, which is nice for us cold weather fans and it wasn't crowded.  

We got to ride the Radiator Springs racers two times and we were so fast-we won both races.  The kids thought we were pretty amazing.  

 Backing up to the beginning of the day, we went to Guardians of the Galaxy because we anticipated needing to grab a fast pass to get on later.  There was no wait (yes!) so we decided to jump on.  Well, that may have been a bit ambitious for Master H.  He went on that free fall and vowed never to go on that in his whole life again.  We also sufficiently scared him as he went to the 'It's Hard to Be a Bug Show' and screamed at the top of his lungs thinking the giant spiders were falling from the sky to get him.  It was a great way to start the day!  Haha!

Permanently scaring our child was not the main focus of the day, we went on plenty of kids rides (including the Goofy Coaster, carousel and Toy Story Mania) which he loved.  

 The highlight of his day (or life) was meeting Captain America.

We all know Harrison has been a long time fan of the Original Avenger.  He had adopted his persona for much of 2015 into 2017.

 Cap and Harrison talked about patriotism, villains and saving the world.  

 They made an awesome pair.  Our world is save in the hands of these two.  It really was so fun to see Harrison meet his idol.  Dreams were coming true!  Captain America even inspired Harrison to have more courage because by the end of the night, Harry was asking to go on Guardians again!  And he did!  He ended up having a great time...we didn't subject him to the gargantuan spiders again though.

 We rode absolutely everything we wanted to (that was open) multiple times and met some fun friends...

 We were tuckered out and ready to hit Magic Kingdom the next day.  

Harrison continued his quest for vanquishing evil as he trained to be a Jedi.  He took on Darth Vader like the force had been building inside him for ages.  Darth never knew what hit him. Harrison is already telling us he needs to go back to train to fight Darth Vader again.   

We rode lots of rides, ate some yummy treats ( I fell in love with the raspberry macaroon)

met a couple characters...

 

Harrison declared Belle to be his girlfriend, which is a little rude since I used to be the girl of his dreams, but I suppose Belle can fill those dreams now.  

Disneyland itself is magical and is the place where dreams come true.  For Dave, however, it is sometimes the place of nightmares.  He does not look forward to spending time in a place of musical, cartoon, giddiness.  He is not a fan of rides all together, as is perfectly displayed in the evolution of ride photos here...

He starts out "trying" to like it...

 He eventually just isn't amused...

Then, he just pretends it isn't happening.  bwuahaha!!

 

We loved it, even if it wasn't his top destination.  He was a good sport though and had to even give up sit down restaurants so we could get to every attraction I had mapped out.  That is a big sacrifice, if you know Dave.  

We had one more amusement park day at Universal Studios.  Universal was much more crowded but there aren't as many rides we wanted to go on, so we were ok.  We got to meet up with Chris and Les and Co as well as Shannon, so that was a lot of fun!  

To cap off our last full day, we dined as they did in the Dark Ages and cheered on our knight at Medieval Times.  Brenna was awarded the banner for queen of the banquet and now we all have to bow to her...actually we had to do that already, so no change there.  

 The following day we tried to be spiritual and attend a local church, but it was a regional conf, so we walked the pier at Newport instead.  

We made some fun memories and can't wait to go back to Disney!  I may have to take the kids solo, but we will be back someday!  Haha!

The next week, I joined my mom and sisters in Las Vegas

 to celebrate Shannon and her 40th birthday.  We went to the Beatles Love show.  It was lots of fun-we were singing and dancing in our seats!  We had a yummy dinner, some treats...

 and a grand time.  Shannon and I finished it off with a buffet brunch at the Wynn.  It was a Wynn for both of us!  Ha!

T'was a Jolly Holiday

Christmas season 2017 was a warm and wonderful one.  Our month filled up with ways to celebrate, concerts to attend and time to share.  The weekend the lights were turned on downtown was a perfect time for us to stroll.  We got a little tour of the conference center and moseyed about enjoying the twinkling lights.  

Grant had a Christmas concert at school with his mixed choir that was really fun.  His choir teacher, extended the invitation to be in Concert Choir for the rest of the year.  

 Having discovered his new found love of singing, Grant dropped Spanish and is now in choir all year.  Adios amigos!

Speaking of singing, we did our annual caroling at a care center with some neighbor friends.  This is our 5th year running and we had a great time.  The kids really look forward to it.  It's an all around highlight of our December.  We all feel like we can feel the true spirit of Christmas.  

Brenna had a busy month with a special holiday program by her grade.  She was all smiles as she performed that night.  She was disappointed because the class had to draw straws for their parts.  I guess we'd say she drew the short stick because she was one of the last to choose, so while she did not get to do the hula for 'Mele Kaliki Maka,' she got a stellar spot and had some great art displayed.  

Miss B was nervous all month about whether or not she would get coal.  She was sure she didn't deserve gifts. 

I think some confession time on the St Nicholas' knee put her at ease.  It all turned out well for her in the end!  

She had her ballet performance of Snow White where she worked her little pick axe as dainty as a little ginger ballerina can.  

Number 2 had a pleasant holiday season as well.  Katelee practiced long and hard for our piano recital.

She played an awesome version of the Hallelujah Chorus while Brenna tickled the ivories with a little Up On the Housetop action.


Brenna is a new addition to the piano crew, as well as Addie and Collin.  We lost Grant, that little rascal would no more be coaxed into playing.  It has been so fun to teach piano.  I never planned on it, but it is rewarding to see my little students growing.



Harrison visited with Santa a couple of times.  When we had the photos taken with the kids and the Mrs, we had made an appointment at Scheel's.  It was pretty much the best set up.  Santa was in a little room hidden away, so no one even knew.  You could tell him your secret Christmas wishes

and then head out to ride the Ferris Wheel!  Win for sure!

This Santa was at the library one day and was just so excited to see Harrison.  It really took us off guard. 

Harry and I were there to pick out books and Kris Kringle was calling him over and ready to present a present bag for Harry.  It was a fun surprise.  We didn't mind seeing the Grinch either!

(Harry is still working on that natural smile...apparently it eludes him)

We had a couple more downtown outings-one with just Dave and me.  We went to the phenomenal Christmas concert the Motab puts on.  We also took the kids down again to drop off things for the Candy Cane Corner store and learn about how it benefits the Road Home.  While down there, we had to get treats and walk through the Grand America.  Who did we see again?  The Grinch!


One fun weekend, we went to a church that was displaying hundreds of Nativity scenes.  We invited our friends, the Smith's to join us.  The church had a seek and find challenge for the nativities, a video in a different room about Jesus' birth, cider and cookies, and a manger photo op scene.  Katelee played a fetching Joseph.

We loved it so much, I quickly shot out a text to my family to run over.  We caught them just as they were leaving.  It is amazing to see other cultures and countries worship the Savior and their art.  Loved it.  He is the one to emulate.  Harrison has that down.  We were discussing the story of Nephi and we were saying who would be Nephi, Laman/Lemuel.  We determined Harry would be a brother and he just shook his head and said, "Nope.  I am Jesus."  

He has an identity crisis apparently, though, because at the nativity scene he wanted to be Mary.  He did tell me I am the best mother in all the land, and in his words, "you know who is number 2?  Mary, Jesus' mom."  Maybe that night, he let the doll be Jesus and he would go for number 2?!??

The much anticipated evening FINALLY arrived and we were able to have Mark and Amy drop by.  We headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas Eve dinner/party.  

We sang, we ate, we opened presents.  It was glorious. 

IT was time to watch and wait for Santa.  We went back home and the kids had their annual "sleepover" which means little to no sleeping.  

Christmas morning was happy and fun as we exchanged gifts and love.  We surprised the kids with tickets to Disneyland and took no pictures, but we did video their reaction.  It was joyful!  We love spending the day in jammies, having Shannon, Grandma and Grandpa stop by.  We played games and Brenna put on a most mysterious and entertaining magic show with her magic set she received from Santa.  The whole day was magical! 

And so, another year wrapped up.  We stayed up late on New Years, reveled in the memories 2017 brought us and anticipated the experiences ahead in 2018.  While years pass by in the blink of an eye and we constantly find our selves wondering, how did we get here already?  We find contentment and fulfillment in the now.  We do miss the years gone by, but we know they are with us because they've made us who we are and we wouldn't trade where we are for the world.  On to a new year!